hummina

English

Alternative forms

• homina

Etymology

Originally used by the character Ralph Kramden in the 1950s American TV sitcom The Honeymooners, often when he was caught in a lie or exaggeration and could not think of a quick response.

Interjection

hummina

1. Used to express that one has a strong reaction that cannot be expressed in words, especially when expressing embarrassment or sexual attraction.
   • 1994, Carey Simon, The Applause Performing Arts Guide to Los Angeles & Southern California:

     Just before the show begins, an MC lists the few rules (no projectiles, is one) and instructs you in how to "boo" the villain, "cheer" the hero, and "hummina" the heroine (in today's world, that probably means sexual harassment).

   • 2012, Anthony Youn, In Stitches, →ISBN, page 120:

     Inside my head, a voice chatters nonstop like a machine gun: Hummina hummina hummina.

   • 2013, Nicola Marsh, Lucy King, Her Deal With The Devil/One More Sleepless Night, →ISBN:

     The high cheekbones and square jaw now shadowed with dark stubble spoke to a heritage as mixed as New Orleans itself—if one could pick the best bits and discard the rest. Donovan definitely rated high on the hummina scale.

   • 2014, Joe Pellegrino, Jack Redmond, The 7 Pillars of a Legacy Minded Man, →ISBN:

     I forgot everything I was going to say, and I started a "hummina, hummina, hummina" kind of thing.

   • 2017, Kelly Brookbank, My Name is Agnes, →ISBN, page 226:

     My head pulled away a bit and I'm pretty sure the look on my face changed from shock to “hummina, hummina, hummina.”

Usage notes

Most commonly, this is repeated multiple times in a row.